Reclining furniture and reclining mechanism therefor



A. J. KATZ 3,162,482

RECLINING FURNITURE AND RECLINING MECHANISM THEREFOR Dec. 22, 1964 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 2, 1962 I r INVENTOR AZEX J'. (4 TI ATfaQA EX Dec. 22, 1964 A. J. KATZ 3,162,482

RECLINING FURNITURE AND RECLINING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG.3

INVENTOR. AME) J? #471 Dec. 22, 1964 A. J. KATZ 3,162,482

RECLINING FURNITURE AND RECLINING MECHANISM THEREFOR Filed July 2, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. 4LEX J. K4 T2 ya} ATmEA EX United States Patent 3,162,482 RECLINENG FURNITURE AND REQLENHIG lvlElIHANlSb I THEREFGR Alex J. Katz, West Grange, NJ assignor to Snper Eagless Spring Corporation, Bayonne, NJ, a corporation of New .lersey Filed July 2, 1962., Ser. No. 206,752 8 Claims. (Cl. 297-85) This invention relates to reclining furniture and reclining mechanism therefor. It is particularly related to hardware for chairs.

An object of this invention is to provide a chair of the character described having a fixed support, a body supporting member, a foot rest, and means to project the foot rest forwardly upon moving the body supporting member, in a first movement, from a first upright position to a second intermediate reclining or TV viewing position, during which movement the foot rest is fully extended and the body supporting member is tilted slightly and moved back about a pair of spaced linkages pivoted to the body supporting member, and rotating about axes fixed during such first movement, and said body supporting member be ing thereafter movable in a second movement from said second position to a third, fully reclining position, during which movement the foot rest remains fully extended, but said body supporting member and extended foot rest swing upwardly about a pivotal axis which remains fixed during such second movement, and said chair being provided with lock means to prevent movement of the pivotal axis and one of said pair of linkages during the first movement, but permitting movement of said pivotal axis during the second movement.

Another object of this invention is to provide a chair of the character described provided with a footrest and means to fully extend the foot rest upon moving the chair from upright to intermediate position, and having means to swing the fully extended foot rest and the seat about a fixed pivotal axis during a second movement from intermediate to fully reclining position, and said chair including a member pivoted about a fixed axis, a link interconnecting the pivoted member with the seat, and means to prevent rotation of the pivoted member during the movement from upright to intermediate position while permitting movement of said pivotal member during movement from intermediate to fully reclining position, after the chair has reached intermediate position.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a reclining chair comprising a fixed support, a member pivoted to the support, a seat, a link pivoted at one end to the support and at its other end to the rear of the seat, a second link pivoted to said pivoted member and to the seat, the construction being such that during a first movement, the seat swings back about the pivotal axes of said first and second links relative to said fixed support, and said chair being provided with lock means to prevent rotation of said pivoted member during such movement, said lock means including means to permit swinging movement of the pivoted member about its pivotal axis to the support, during a second movement, and means being provided to retain the first link against movement during said second movement whereby the seat swings about the pivotal connection of the first link to the seat in said retained position of said first link.

Yet a further object of this invention is to provide a strong, rugged and durable reclining chair mechanism of the character described which shall be relatively inexpensive to manufacture, which shall be smooth and positive in operation, which shall provide for a comfortable chair and which shall yet be practical and efilcient to a high degree in use.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and in part hereinafter pointed out.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangement of parts, which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter described, and of which the scope of invention will be indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings in which is shown an illustrative embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the reclining chair mechanism embodying the invention for one side of the chair;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view thereof and showing the same in the upright position of the chair and also showing parts of the chair frame;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but illustrating th intermediate position of the chair mechanism; and

HG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the mechanism in fully reclining position.

Referring now in detail to the drawing, 19 designates a chair embodying the invention, the same comprises a chair frame 11 and reclining chair mechanism or hardware 12 or the chair. The frame 11 comprises rear legs 13 and front legs 14 supporting a frame body 15. The frame body 15 may be of usual construction and comprises side members 16, a front transverse rail 17 and a rear transverse rail 18. Since the mechanism or hardware 12 for each side of the chair are similar and symmetrically disposed to each other, the mechanism on one side only of the chair will be described.

Thus, there is attached to the inner side of each body side wall 16 a fixed supporting arm or mounting plate 2%). The supporting plate 2% may be attached to the wood frame of the chair by means of any suitable screws, bolts or other fastening means 21, suitable openings being provided in the plate for this purpose. The plate 26 may in fact be provided with slots 22 for the bolts or screws 21 to permit some adjustment of the plate. The plate is formed at its inner side with a pivot pin 23 on which is pivoted a main pivot link 24. The plate 20 may be inclined forwardly and upwardly, as shown in drawing, and the pivot pin 23 is located somewhat closer to the rear end thanto the front end of said plate, and adjacent the upper edge of the plate. Said plate 20 is provided with a pair of inwardly pouched stop portions or shoulders 25 engaging lower edge portions 26 of the main pivot lever. The edge 26 may be undercuts in the lower edge of the main pivot lever. The main pivot link 24 extends forwardly from the pivot point 23 but has a rearwardly extending arm 24a. The front end of the main pivot link 24 is located substantially at the front end of the plate 29. When the main pivot link 24 contacts the stop shoulders 25, it is inclined slightly forwardly and upwardly. Said plate 20 is formed with another inwardly pouched stop 27 forming a shoulder 27a adapted to engage an underedge of the arm 24a, when said lever is swung in a clockwise direction from the position of FIG. 3 to the position of FIG. 4, under conditions which will hereinafter be explained. Thus the link 24 may move from the position of FIG. 3 in which it engages the stops 25, through a limited angle to the position of FIG. 4 where it engages the stop 27.

Pivoted to the plate 20 rearwardly of stop 27, as at 32, is a rear pivot link 33. In the position of F IG. 2 which is the upright position of the chair, the link 33 extends substantially straight up from pivot 32. Its upper end is pivoted as on pivot pin 34 to the rear end of a body supporting member, here shown in the form of a seat angle 35. The sea tangle 35 may be fixed to the seat of the chair and in the upright position of the chair is inclined forwardly and upwardly less than the inclination of the plate 28 but at a somewhat greater angle than the inclina- 3 tion of the link 24 when the lever is in a position of FIGS. 2 or 3.

It will be noted that when the rear pivot link 33 swings rearwardly from the position of FIG. 2 to the position of FIG. 3 it will engage an inwardly pouched stop 37 on plate 20, having a rearwardly and upwardly inclined stop edge 38 engaging an undercut rear edge 39 of said rear pivot link.

Pivoted to the front end of the main pivot link 24 as on pivot pin 40, is a sequence lever 41. The lever 41 has an upwardly and forwardly inclined upper arm 42 pivoted at its upper end, as by pivot pin 43, to the seat angle 35. The lever 41 further includes a downwardly and forwardly inclined arm 44 terminatingsubstantially at the underside of the chair frame 15. The arm 44 is longer than the arm 42 as can be seen in 2 of the drawing. Said arm 44 is formed, upwardly of its lower end, with a short longitudinal slot 45.

It will be noted that the arm 42 of the lever 41 constitutes a link connection between the link 24 and the seat angle 35. 'Pivoted to the lower end of arm 44 of lever 41, as on pivot pin 46, is a foot rest lever 58. Pivoted to the forward end of the seat angle 35, as on pivot pin 51 located forwardly of the pivot pin 43, is a drive lever 52. The levers 50 and 52 are interpivoted on pivot 53. The upper end of the lever, 56 is pivoted, as by pivot pin 54, to a foot or leg rest angle 55. Theleg rest 55 may be attached to a leg rest or ottoman. vThe lever 52. extends down below the pivot pin 53, and its lower end is pivoted, as by pivot pin 56, to a link 57, the upper end of which 'is pivoted as on pivot pin 58 to the foot rest angle 55.

Pivoted to the plate 2% as on pivot pin 6t? which is co-axial with pivot 4'0 when the link 24 is in a position of either FIGS. 2 or 3, is a locking link 61. In the positions of FIGS. 2 and 3 the locking link 61 lies alongside of arm 44 and extends to a point beyond the slot 45. Fixed to link 61 is a pivot pin 62 slidably received in said slot 45. Thepivot pin 62 is formed with a head 63 engaging the inner side of the arm 44. e

The operation of the device will now be explained.

In the position of FIGS. 1 and 2 the chair is in upright position. The back 70 of the chair may be fixed with respect to the seat angle 35 and rigidly connected thereto.

. mechanism from the intermediate position of PEG. 3 to the fully reclining position of FIG. 4, the seat angle is swinging in a clockwise direction about pivot pin 34,

which during such movement remains stationery. Thus,

it will be understood that during the movement from 'FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 the pivot remains at a fixed axis coaxially of pivot 60, and during the movement from FIG. 3 to FIG. 4 the pivot 34 remains at a'fixed axis. Thus, during the movement of the chair from upright to intermediate position the foot rest is quickly and fully extended, but the seat and back of the chair tilt back only slightly, but move back during the movement. From intermediate position to fully reclining position, the foot rest remains fully extended, but the seat and back tilt more sharply with the seat tilting upwardly and the back tilting'together with the seat rearwardly and downwardly.

It will thus be seen that there is provided an apparatus in which the several objects of this invention are achieved, and which is well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiment above set forth, it is to be understood that all matter herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

I claim:

1. In combination, support means, a first link pivoted to said support means, a body supporting member, a second link pivoted to said support means, means to pivot said second link to said body supporting member, stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first link in one direction, in one angular position of said first link, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof to said first link and having a first arm pivoted to said I body supporting member, and said lever having a second In the position of FIGS. 1 and 2 the foot rest angle is in vertical position against the front of the chair. The first movement of the chair is from'this upright position, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, to the intermediate reclining or TV viewing position of FIG. 3. When pressure is exerted by the person sitting on the chair rearwardly against the back 70 or" the chair, or on the seat, the link 33 swings rearwardly about the pivot 32, from substantially upright position to upwardly and rearwardly inclined position in engagement with the stop member 37.

During such movement, the seat angle tilts slightly up-' wardly and moves back. The arm 42 of-the lever 41 swings rearwardly about the pivot 44 of the link 24. During such movement, the entire lever 41 swings in a clockwise direction causing full extension of the foot rest angle 55. During this movement, the pivot pin 40 cannot move upwardly, and link "24 cannot swing about its pivot 23, and remains in engagement with the stops 25. The reason for this locking of the link 24, is that an upward pull on the pivot pin 49 will cause an upward pull on the arm 44 of the lever 41 thereby causing said armto press upwardly against the pivot pin 62, which at this time is located at the lower end of the slot 45. The pin 62 prevents any movement of link 24. 7

It will be noted that during the movement ofthe mechanism from FIG. 2 to FIG. 3 the locking link 61 remains in alignment with or alongside of arm 44 of the lever 41 with pivots 4i and 69 remaininggcoaxial. However, when the mechanism reaches the position of FIG. 3 pivot arm, a leg rest member, means connecting said leg rest member with said body supporting member and said second arm of said lever, to extendsaid leg rest member, a third link pivoted to said support means on the axis of the pivotal connection of said lever to said first link, when said first link is in said one angular position, and said third link having a pin and slot connection to said second arm of said lever.

2. The combinationof claim 1, and stop means on said support means to limit rotation of the second link in one direction, in oneangular position thereof.

3. The combination of claim 2, and stop means on said support means to limit rotary movement of said first. link in an opposite direction, in another angular position thereof. 7

4. The combination of claim 3, said support means comprising a plate, all of said stop means being carried by said plate, and the pivot connections of said first, second and third links to said support means being carried by said plate. e

p 5. In combination, support, means, body supporting means, a first member pivoted to said support means, a

I second member pivoted to said support means, means pin 40 may move upwardly from the position of FIG. 3

to the position of FIG. 4 allowing link 24 to swing in a to pivotally connect said second member to said body sup orting means about a pivot spaced from the pivotal connection of said second member to said support means, a third member pivoted to said first member about a pivot spaced from the pivotal connection of said first member to said support means, means to pivotally connect the third member to said body supporting means, a fourth member pivoted to said support means about an axis common with the axis of the pivotal connection of said third member to said first member, in one angular position of said first member, and said fourth member having a pin and slot CODDECtlIl with said third member, said pin and slot connection comprising means to permit rotation of said third member only with said fourth member about said common axis, from a first angular position of said third and fourth members to a second angular position of said third and fourth members, and to maintain said first member in a first angular position during such rotation of said third and fourth members, with said second member moving from a first angular position to a second angular position thereof during said angular movement of said third and fourth members, and to allow movement of said first member from said first angular position thereof to a second angular position therof, when said third and fourth members reach said second angular position thereof.

6. In combination, a support means, a member pivoted thereto, a body supporting member, a lever pivoted to said pivoted member at a point spaced from the pivotal connection of said pivoted member to said support means, said lever having an arm pivoted to said body supporting member, a link pivoted to said support means on an axis coaxial with the pivotal connection of said lever to said pivoted member, in one angular position of said pivoted member, said lever having a second arm, and said link having a pin and slot connection to said second arm of said lever, with the pin abutting one end of the slot and the slot radial with respect to said pivotal axes of said lever and link, in said one angular position of pivoted member.

7. In combination, support means, a first link pivoted to said support means, a body supporting member, a second link pivoted to said support means, means to pivot said link to said body supporting member, stop means on said support means to lirm't rotary movement of said first link in one direction, in one angular position of said first link, a lever pivoted mediately the ends thereof to said first link and having a first arm pivoted to said body supporting member, and said lever having a second arm, a leg rest member, means connecting said leg rest member with said body supporting member and said second arm of said lever, to extend said leg rest member, and a third link pivoted to said support means, and said third link having a pin and slot connection to said second arm of said lever, the pivotal point of said third member being close enough to the pivotal point of said lever to said first link in said one angular position of said one link to prevent rotation of said first link until said lever has rotated about its pivotal connection to said first link through a predetermined angle.

8. In combination, support means, body supporting means, a first member :pivoted to said support means, a second member pivoted to said support means, means to pivotally connect said second member to said body supporting means about a pivot spaced from the pivotal connection of said second member to said support means, a third member pivoted to said first member about a pivot spaced from the pivotal connection of said first member to said support means, means to pivotally connect the third member to said body supporting means, a fourth member pivoted to said support means, said fourth memher having a pin and slot connection with said third member, the pivotal point of said fourth member to said support means being close enough to the pivotal point of said third member to said first member in a first angular position of said first member to cause said pin and slot connection to comprise means to permit rotation of said third member from a first angular position of said third member to a second angular position of said third member, and to maintain said first member in said first angular position thereof during such rotation of said third member, with said second member moving from a first angular position to a second angular position thereof during said angular movement of said third member, and to allow movement of said first member from said first angular position thereof when said third member reaches said second angular position.

References (Iited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,615,497 Luckhardt Oct. 28, 1952 2,884,990 Bank et al. May 5, 1959 2,892,485 Schliephacke June 30, 1959 2,918,109 Schliephacke Dec. 22, 1959 2,944,594 Lorenz July 12, 1960 2,961,036 Schliephacke Nov. 22, 1960 2,965,158 Fletcher Dec. 20, 1960 2,989,342 Schliephacke June20, 1961 2,999,720 Schliephacke Sept. 12, 1961 3,009,734 Schliephacke Nov. 21, 1961 3,009,736 Schliephacke Nov. 21, 1961 3,010,762 Schliephacke Nov. 28, 1961 3,030,142 Schl-iephacke Apr. 17, 1962 3,043,621 Fletcher July 10, 1962 3,044,827 Belisle July 17, 1962 

6. IN COMBINATION, A SUPPORT MEANS, A MEMBER PIVOTED THERETO, A BODY SUPPORTING MEMBER, A LEVER PIVOTED TO SAID PIVOTED MEMBER AT A POINT SPACED FROM THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF SAID PIVOTED MEMBER TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS, SAID LEVER HAVING AN ARM PIVOTED TO SAID BODY SUPPORTING MEMBER, A LINK PIVOTED TO SAID SUPPORT MEANS ON AN AXIS COAXIAL WITH THE PIVOTAL CONNECTION OF SAID LEVER TO SAID PIVOTED MEMBER, IN ONE ANGULAR POSITION OF SAID PIVOTED MEMBER, SAID LEVER HAVING A SECOND ARM, AND SAID LINK HAVING A PIN AND SLOT CONNECTION TO SAID SECOND ARM OF SAID LEVER, WITH THE PIN ABUTTING ONE END OF THE SLOT AND 